Home Medical Evonik’s PEEK biomaterial used for 3D-printed spinal implants in the U.S.

Evonik’s PEEK biomaterial used for 3D-printed spinal implants in the U.S.

The first surgeries were recently performed in the U.S. using a unique spinal implant made from Evonik’s VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK filament biomaterial. The high-tech implant developed by Curiteva has been approved by the FDA and is the world’s first 3D-printed, fully crosslinked porous polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implant of its kind for commercial use.

Operations took place in mid-April. The inspire platform was made with VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK high-performance polymer from Evonik on a patented 3D printer from Curiteva.

Alex Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopedic Institute, had this to share, “I believe structure drives biology and the lattice PEEK architecture enabled by Curiteva’s 3D printing process represents an exciting advancement in spine, orthopedics, and neurosurgical procedures which involve any type of biologic implant.”

Kevin Foley, MD, Chairman of Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute and professor of neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center commented, “The Inspire porous PEEK technology checks all of the boxes for an ideal interbody implant: fully interconnected porosity, modulus of elasticity equivalent to cancellous bone, strong biomechanical properties, radiolucency, and a bioactive surface for osseointegration.”

Randy Dryer, MD, Central Texas Spine Institute commented, “Interconnected porosity, pore size distribution, and nano-surface architecture are typically hallmarks of the most effective synthetic allografts. I believe this novel implant enhanced with HAFUSE nano-surface topography incorporates those features and presents an optimal environment for osteoprogenitor cells to move throughout the implant enhancing bone healing (fusion) and reducing risk of subsidence. I’m excited to offer this to my patients.”

Evonik’s VESTAKEEP i4 3DF was developed specifically for use in additive manufacturing processes and meets ASTM F2026 requirements as a filament. It is the world’s first 3D printable filament to meet these requirements for medical applications.

“Evonik’s breakthrough 3D-printable implant material opens up exciting new possibilities in individually adaptable medical treatments, like spinal implants,” says Marc Knebel, head of Evonik’s Medical Devices & Systems market segment. “Innovative developments like our VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK filaments, are designed for the utmost biocompatibility, biostability and x-ray transparency – making them excellent materials for orthopedic and maxillofacial surgery.”

Find out more about Evonik at evonik.com.


Subscribe to our Newsletter

3DPResso is a weekly newsletter that links to the most exciting global stories from the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.

Privacy Policy*
 

You can find the privacy policy for the newsletter here. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. For further questions, you can contact us here.